News releases

Tacoma Link celebrates ten years and 9.4 million riders

Rider appreciation events at all six stations tomorrow to include commemorative giveaways

Sound Transit celebrates ten years of light rail service on Tacoma Link tomorrow with rider appreciation events at all six Tacoma Link stations.

Sound Transit Board Chair and Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy will be joined by Sound Transit Board members Marilyn Strickland, Mayor of Tacoma; Mary Moss, Lakewood City Councilmember; and Dave Enslow, Mayor of Sumner, to greet riders at the Union Station platform from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and hop aboard the train as part of the celebration.

"Today marks an exciting milestone in the evolution of light rail service in Pierce County," said Pat McCarthy. "Tacoma Link's growing popularity demonstrates the need to invest in more transit. As we celebrate our success to date, we are working on plans to extend the service deeper into our vibrant city."

Ridership on the popular line hit 1 million last year, with planning underway to expand the route to the Stadium District, Martin Luther King Way, Jr. and Hilltop neighborhoods. The service has carried more than 9.4 million riders since it opened to the public on August 22, 2003.

"In its decade of serving the transit needs of commuters, residents, and visitors, Tacoma Link has become integral to the way people work, live and play downtown," said Marilyn Strickland. "The potential to bring this well-used service to more transit-dependent populations by expanding the line northwest from downtown will take strong partnerships. The City of Tacoma stands ready to work with Sound Transit to secure the additional funding needed to complete the expansion."

Celebration activities include an enter-to-win sweepstakes, commemorative giveaways at all Tacoma Link stations and the Farmers Market, and a special train appearance by Zap Gridlock, Sound Transit's traffic-fighting superhero, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The contest, which runs Aug. 8 through Aug. 31, asks riders to name their favorite destination along the Tacoma Link line. Riders can check in and share their favorite destination on Facebook using the #TLink10 hashtag. Participants must enter to win by completing an entry form on the Sound Transit Facebook page, or completing and submitting a postcard by mail or in person at the Sound Transit booth at the Tacoma Broadway Farmers Market on Aug. 22. More contest information and a list of where to pick up and drop off postcards are available at soundtransit.org/Tlink10. Participants must submit the entry form or postcard by Aug. 31 to be eligible to win.

Winners will be selected by random drawing on Sept. 25. The grand prize winner will receive a Tacoma Getaway package that includes an overnight stay for two at the Hotel Murano, a Savi Day Spa couple's pedicure package, a salon treatment for two at Salon Miro, and two $20 gift cards at TWOKOI Japanese Cuisine. Ten additional participants will win an ORCA card preloaded with $25 in fare value. Entrants must be 18 or older, residents of Washington state, and cannot be Sound Transit employees or members of an employee's immediate family.